Big East Basketball: Top 10 incoming impact freshmen for 2018-19

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: Jahvon Quinerly #5 of Hudson Catholic High School reacts in a game against John Carroll School during the 2018 Spalding Hoopall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 03: Head coach Patrick Ewing of the Georgetown Hoyas reacts. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /

5. James Akinjo, Georgetown

Guard | 6-foot-0 | 160 lbs | No. 88 overall

Even though James Akinjo is not rated as highly as some of the players below him on the list, I expect that he will be a more impactful freshman due to playing time. The likely starting point guard for Georgetown in his first year on campus, Akinjo will be expected to provide perimeter shooting as well as sound playmaking right away for head coach Patrick Ewing. Even though senior big man Jessie Govan is clearly the best player on the team, somebody has to get him the ball.

Also, Akinjo is placed highly on this list due to the idea that his play could be vital in pushing the Hoyas to NCAA Tournament bid contention this year. Even though many will wonder why Mac McClung, another guard in Georgetown’s 2018 recruiting class, is not on this list, Akinjo is the much more polished player and passer at the moment, making him the likely starter at the lead guard spot.

If this is the case, a lot of responsibility will fall on Akinjo’s shoulders. Still, though, he is an extremely talented player and one that already has plenty of strength and athleticism to play at the Big East level. It will be intriguing to see how he performs.

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